Index photograph, exposed film package, and film package producing system

ABSTRACT

An exposed film package for preserving one strip of exposed photographic film includes a film sheath, which has plural pockets. Plural film pieces are formed by cutting the one strip of the exposed film, and contained respectively in the pockets in the film sheath. An index photograph is constituted of photographic paper, on which positive images of frames from the one strip of the exposed film are printed. The photographic paper has a size substantially equal to the film pieces. The positive images are formed in reducing a size of the frames, and grouped in association with the film pieces. Groups of the positive images are arranged in consideration of an order of exposure of the frames. The index photograph is contained in one of the pockets in association with the film pieces constituting the one strip.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an index photograph, an exposedfilm package, and a film package producing system. More particularly,the present invention relates to an index photograph which can becombined with an exposed film package containing an exposed film, and toa film package producing system.

[0003] 2. Description Related to the Prior Art

[0004] There is a known index photograph as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,805,039 and 4,966,285. Frames on an exposed negative film is arrangedin a matrix, and printed on photographic paper in reduction in size andto obtain the index photograph, which is useful for visually easyrecognition of all the frames on the negative film. To produce an indexphotograph, arrangement of a plurality of film pieces is utilized: Thenegative film is cut into the film pieces to be contained in the filmsheath. The film pieces are arranged on a stage in the same manner ascontained in the film sheath. The film pieces on the stage are retainedby a mask plate. The rear of the film pieces is illuminated, so as toprint reduced images on photographic paper through a printing lens forreduction in size.

[0005] The index photograph has an aspect ratio equal to a contour ofthe film sheath. The film sheath should be preserved with the indexphotograph, but might be separate inadvertently from the film sheath,and be lost, as the index photograph has no such size as would beconvenient for containing and preservation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In view of the foregoing problems, an object of the presentinvention is to provide an index photograph which is prevented frombeing lost even after long preservation with exposed negative film, andan exposed film package, and a film package producing system.

[0007] In order to achieve the above and other objects and advantages ofthis invention, an index sheet, constituted of image-recording materialon which positive images of frames from one strip of exposedphotographic film are recorded. The strip of the exposed film is cutinto plural film pieces. The image-recording material has a sizesubstantially equal to the film pieces. The positive images are formedin reducing a size of the frames, and grouped in association with thefilm pieces. Groups of the positive images are arranged in considerationof an order of exposure of the frames.

[0008] In an exposed film package for preserving one strip of exposedphotographic film, a film sheath has plural pocket portions open along alengthwise edge of the film sheath. Plural film pieces are formed bycutting the one strip of the exposed film, and contained respectively inthe pocket portions in the film sheath. An index sheet are constitutedof image-recording material on which positive images of frames from theone strip of the exposed film are recorded. The image-recording materialhas a size substantially equal to the film pieces. The positive imagesformed in reducing a size of the frames, and grouped in association withthe film pieces. Groups of the positive images are arranged inconsideration of an order of exposure of the frames. The index sheet iscontained in one of the pocket portions in association with the filmpieces constituting the one strip.

[0009] To produce an exposed film package, respective exposedphotographic film is cut into film pieces at a predetermined length, toinsert the film pieces into pocket portions in a film sheath material.The film pieces is so inserted that one of the pocket portions remainsempty beside pocket portions associated with film pieces having beeninserted in the film sheath material. The film sheath material is woundas a roll after insertion of the film pieces. The film sheath materialis unwound from the roll, to insert an index sheet into the empty pocketportion in association with the exposed film. The index sheet isconstituted of photosensitive material on which images from the exposedfilm are recorded in reduction in size, and arranged in groupsassociated with the film pieces, the photosensitive material having asize substantially equal to the film pieces. A film sheath is cut fromthe film sheath material after insertion of the index sheet, to obtainthe exposed film package. The exposed film package includes the filmpieces constituting the exposed film, the index sheet, and the filmsheath containing the film pieces and the index sheet.

[0010] In a system of producing the exposed film package, a film cuttinginserter section cuts the exposed film into the film pieces, and insertsthe film pieces into the pocket portions in the film sheath. An indexsheet stacker device stacks index sheets in an order of exposed filmsassociated with the index sheets, each of the index sheets constitutedof image-recording material on which positive images of frames from thestrip of the exposed film are recorded in reduction in size, theimage-recording material having a size substantially equal to the filmpieces. A sheet inserter section receives the index sheets from thestacker device and inserts the index sheets into the pocket portions,each of the index sheets contained in the exposed film package inassociation with the film pieces constituting the one strip.

[0011] Further, a pick-up device picks up the frames of the exposedfilm, to generate a frame signal. A printer device is connected to thepick-up device, and prints the index sheet. In the printer device, animage treating section produces a combined image in which positiveimages of the frame from the exposed frames of the strip are arranged ingroups associated with the film pieces. The combined image is producedin reduction in size. An image recorder section records on theimage-recording material in accordance with a signal of the combinedimage, to produce the index sheet.

[0012] In the present invention, the index photograph can be preventedfrom being lost after preservation with the exposed negative film. Thesize of the index photograph is compatible to the film sheath. At thetime of extra printing, the index photograph can be utilized torecognize each of the frames without fail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The above objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description when readin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an index photograph of thepresent invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an exposed film package withthe index photograph;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating part of the exposed filmpackage in enlargement;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a system of producing theexposed film package;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a videoprinter;

[0019]FIG. 6 is a perspective view generally illustrating a film cuttinginserter;

[0020]FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating an index photographstacker and an index photograph inserter section;

[0021]FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating part of the film cuttinginserter;

[0022]FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating another system ofproducing the exposed film package;

[0023]FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating an index photograph for a12-exposure film;

[0024]FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating an index photograph for a36-exposure film;

[0025]FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating a preferred embodiment inwhich an index film piece is used; and

[0026]FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating an index photographinserter section in which a continuously formed index photograph is cutand inserted into a film sheath.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE PRESENTINVENTION

[0027]FIG. 1 illustrates an index photograph 10 produced for a 135 filmof 24 exposures, which is cut into five film pieces 11 a to 11 e asillustrated in FIG. 2. As is known in the art, the 135 film standardizedfor 24 exposures can be used for taking at most 27 exposures at thepositions of frame numbers “00, 0, 1, 2, . . . , 24, E”, where 00 and 0are located with a film leader, and E is located with a film trailer. Asa commercially available product of taking 27 exposures in photography,there is a lens-fitted film unit having a trade name “Fujicolor QuickSnap +3” sold by the assignee of the present invention. In similarmanners, it is possible on 12-exposure or 36-exposure film to take atmost 15 or 39 exposures inclusive of three additional exposures.

[0028] Each film piece is formed by cutting the filmstrip at the lengthof six frames, as is known in the art. As the 135 film for the 24exposures can be provided with three frames additional to 24 frames, thesingle strip of negative film is cut into at least the five film pieces11 a to 11 e as illustrated in FIG. 2. In view of the 27 exposures atmost, the first film piece 11 a and the fifth film piece 11 e have fewerframes than the second to fourth film pieces 11 b to 11 d, and havesmaller lengths. In the embodiment, the first film piece 11 a has fourframes of Nos. 00, 0, 1 and 2. The second film piece 11 b has six framesof Nos. 3 to 8. The third film piece 11 c has six frames of Nos. 9 to14. The fourth film piece 11 d has six frames of Nos. 15 to 20. Thefifth film piece 11 e has five frames of Nos. 21 to 24 and E. Even if anegative film has no frames recorded at Nos. 00 and 0 close to theleader, the negative film is cut between Nos. 2 and 3 to form the firstfilm piece 11 a similarly.

[0029] In the present embodiment, negative film, illustrated in FIGS. 1to 3, has been exposed in a camera of which a frame size is changeablebetween a panoramic size and a full size. Frames with Nos. 7 and 11 areexposed at the panoramic size, and are also recorded on the indexphotograph 10, on which the panoramic size of Nos. 7 and 11 can beapparently recognized. The frames on the index photograph 10 have aproportionally reduced size. If other negative films have only full sizeframes, half size frames, and wide-vision (WV) size frames (at an aspectratio equal to that of the High-Definition Television), the formats onthe films are similarly reduced on the index photograph.

[0030] The index photograph 10 is formed at a size equal to, or slightlysmaller than, each of the film pieces 11 b to lid having six frames. Theindex photograph 10 is insertable into pockets 13 a formed in a filmsheath 13 which is known in the art. The film sheath 13 is constitutedof continuous resinous film with transparent or translucentcharacteristic. The resinous film is folded in two, and welded togetheralong welding lines 13 b having arrangement like a train ofperforations, to define a great number of the pockets 13 a arrangedconsecutively. A blank belt portion 13 c is formed along a bottom ofeach pocket 13 a, and used for manually writing the number of prints tobe ordered in extra printing.

[0031] In FIG. 1, the index photograph 10 has two half areas 10 a and 10b arranged in its longitudinal direction. In the first half area 10 a,film piece images 15 a, 15 b and 15 c of the first to third film pieces11 a, 11 b and 11 c are recorded in three lines in positive fashion. Inthe second half area 10 b, film piece images 15 d and 15 e of the fourthand fifth film pieces 11 d and 11 e are recorded in two lines inpositive fashion. There are film piece numbers 16 recorded closely tothe film piece images 15 a to 15 e of the film pieces 11 a to 11 e.

[0032] The first and fifth film pieces 11 a and 11 e have the fewerframes and the smaller lengths, which cause the index photograph 10 tohave two imageless portions 14 a and 14 b. As the second half area 10 bhas the film piece images 15 d and 15 e of only the two film pieces 11 dand 11 e, an imageless portion 14 c is defined under the film pieceimage 15 e of the fifth film piece 11 e to be as great as the film pieceimage 15 e.

[0033] In the imageless portion 14 a next to the film piece image 15 aof the film piece 11 a, a caption 17 is recorded, for example, timeinformation such as “1993 WINTER”, “1993 SUMMER” and “NOV. 1993”, ortitle “ATHLETIC MEET” and “BIRTHDAY PARTY”. The caption 17 can be addedby a photofinisher as desired by a customer as photographer when aphotofinishing order is accepted. It is alternatively possible to addthe caption 17 of only the date or season in automatic fashion ofacceptance of the photofinishing order. A negative film may be exposedin a camera which is capable of automatically writing informationregarding photography to the negative film. If there is captioninformation included in the photographic information as recorded, thephotofinisher can add the caption 17 to the index photograph accordingto the caption information.

[0034] In the imageless portion 14 b next to the fifth film piece image15 e, a check number 19, such as “Check No. 0038”, is recorded torepresent the number of a check tape 18 (See FIG. 3) attached to thenegative film in the course of the photofinishing operation. It ispossible through the check number 19 to associate the negative film withthe index photograph 10 without discerning the images visually.

[0035] A blank space 20 is formed in the imageless portion 14 c underthe film piece image 15 e of the film piece lie, by printing the blankspace 20 to be white. The blank space 20 is used for the user to writeobject information or the date of photography. Instead of the blankspace 20 printed white, it is possible to record a film manufacturername or a title “INDEX SHEET”. It is further possible to record variouskinds of information: a photo laboratory code in a form of number,exposure correcting data, and photographic information which is writtenby a camera to a magnetic recording layer or photochemical datarecording areas of the negative film.

[0036] In each positive image 25 of the frames on the film pieces 11 ato 11 e, a frame number 26 is recorded. The frame number 26, althoughdepicted in dark color in FIG. 1, is blank or white, in the a portionfully colored black in planar fashion. The frame number 26 is determinedby use of a bar code reader, which reads a frame number bar code 27formed along an edge of the negative film, as shown in FIG. 3. If thereis no image at No. 00 or E as illustrated in FIG. 1, a blank is formedfor its associated positive image 25, and visually indicates lack ofexposure.

[0037] The index photograph 10 is produced at a size equal to each filmpiece by a video printer 30 and a paper processor 31, as illustrated inFIG. 4. A scanner 32 is connected to the video printer 30. The scanner32 is incorporated in a film processor 33 and disposed at its outlet fora negative film 34. The scanner 32 picks up each frame of the elongatednegative film 34 as developed by the film processor 33, and sends aframe signal to the video printer 30. The elongated negative film 34 isformed by splicing a number of strips of negative films at a filmsplicer 35 well-known in the art. The elongated negative film 34 afterdevelopment is inspected at each frame in passage through anotcher/puncher (not shown), and set in an auto printer 36, whichexposes color photographic paper to record images to be printed. Theelongated negative film 34 after the printing is cut by a film cuttinginserter 37 at a predetermined length, to obtain the film pieces 11 a to11 e as illustrated in FIG. 2, which are inserted into the film sheath13. Also, the index photograph 10 is inserted into the pocket 13 a.Accordingly an exposed film package 40 with the index photograph isobtained. The color paper printed in the auto printer 36 is treated in apaper processor (not shown) for development, cut by a paper cutter ateach frame, and classified regarding each of the filmstrips associatedwith the frames.

[0038] In the video printer 30, the frame signal read by the scanner 32is digitalized by an A/D converter 45, and written in a memory 46 colorby color, as illustrated in FIG. 5. A controller 47 controls an imagesynthesizer 48, which reads a frame signal out of the memory 46 inthinned form, and synthesizes the thinned frame signal of each frame,the film piece number 16, the caption 17, the check number 19 and thenote blank 20 in a predetermined area while utilizing a preset format asillustrated in FIG. 1. To the image synthesizer 48, a sign datagenerator 49 is connected. The sign data generator 49 generates signdata inclusive of the film piece number 16, the caption 17, the checknumber 19 and the note blank 20, and sends the sign data to the imagesynthesizer 48. A combined image generated from the image synthesizer 48is written to a frame memory 50 associated with each of the threecolors. An image recorder section 51 exposes color paper 52 according toa laser beam system to print the combined image from the frame memory50. The color paper 52 as exposed is processed by the paper processor31, cut for each strip of negative film and at the size equal to thefilm pieces, and exited to a receptacle tray 53. Note that an imagetreating section of the video printer 30 is constituted of the A/Dconverter 45, the memory 46, the controller 47, the image synthesizer48, the sign data generator 49, and the frame memory 50.

[0039] The index photograph 10 for each filmstrip is set in an indexphotograph stacker 60 in the cutting inserter 37, as illustrated in FIG.6. The cutting inserter 37 has a cutting inserter section 37a which isknown in the art and to which the index photograph stacker 60 and anindex photograph inserter section 61 are added. In the embodiment, theindex photograph inserter section 61 is disposed upstream of a stationfor inserting the film pieces 11 a to 11 e. The index photograph 10 isinserted into the pocket 13 a prior to the insertion of the film pieces11 a to 11 e.

[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the index photograph stacker 60consists of a case 63 which contains a number of index photographs 10stacked from the bottom to the top in the order of the strips of theassociated negative films. An advancing roller 64 is disposed toconfront a bottom opening 63 a in the case 63. The advancing roller 64pulls a lowest one of the index photographs 10 and advances it towardthe index photograph inserter section 61. The index photograph insertersection 61 includes a pair of nip belts 66 and a guide plates 67. Thenip belts 66 nip the index photograph 10 as advanced, rotate, and insertit into the pocket 13 a in the film sheath 13. The advancing roller 64and the nip belts 66 are rotated in synchronism by a motor 65. Anelectromagnetic clutch 65 a is associated with the advancing roller 64.After the index photograph 10 is nipped by the nip belts 66, theadvancing roller 64 is released to be free by the clutch 65 a.Accordingly a second lowest one of the index photographs 10 is preventedfrom being advanced even in contact with the advancing roller 64.

[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the cutting inserter section 37 aincludes a splice sensor 70, an edge sensor 71, and a bar code reader 72for frame numbers. The sensor 70 and 71 and the reader 72 generatedetecting signals, which are used to detect a position of splicingfilmstrips, an edge position of each of the frames, and a frame numberbar code. Two pairs of film transport rollers 73 and 74 and a cutter 75are controlled to cut the film piece 11 from the elongated negative film34 to be included in each filmstrip. The film piece 11 has a format thesame as appears on the index photograph 10. When the single film piece11 is cut off and inserted in the pocket 13 a, then the pairs of thesheath transport rollers 68 and 69 transport the film sheath 13 as faras one pocket 13 a. Similarly, next film piece is cut off and insertedinto the pocket 13 a. A third last one of the film pieces constitutingthe filmstrip is cut and inserted. At the same time, the indexphotograph inserter section 61 inserts the index photograph 10 into thepocket 13 a. After last film piece is inserted, the film sheath 13 istransported as far as two pockets in intermittent fashion. The filmpieces 11 of next filmstrip are cut off from the elongated negative film34, and are inserted into the pocket 13 a. The film transport rollers 73and 74 are rotated in synchronism by a motor 77. The upstream pair ofthe rollers 73 are associated with an electromagnetic clutch 78, whichenables only the downstream pair of the rollers 74 to rotate aftercutting of each film piece 11 to be inserted in the pocket 13 a.

[0042] The set of film pieces 11 is adjacent to another index photographproduced from negative film of a strip different from that constitutedby the set of film pieces 11, so that there is a border line positionedbetween the different strips. The border line is provided with a cuttingline as a train of perforations by a perforator 76. This makes it easyto cut the film sheath along the cutting line and to separate exposedfilm packages strip by strip. Note that it is possible to dispose asheet cutter instead of the perforator 76. The film sheath can be cutoff by a film cutting inserter without being wound in a form of roll.

[0043] In the above, there is an interval as much as two pockets 13 abetween the cutting inserter section 37 a and the index photographinserter section 61. However it is possible to arrange the cuttinginserter section 37 a and the index photograph inserter section 61 at aninterval corresponding to two adjacent pockets 13 a.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the negative film is cut every sixframes and according to a predetermined format, i.e. in positionsbetween Nos. 2 and 3, between Nos. 8 and 9, between Nos. 14 and 15, andbetween Nos. 20 and 21, except for the leader and the trailer.Alternatively the positions for cutting can be differently determined asdesired. It is possible for a film cutting inserter to generate cuttingposition information in cutting of the negative film, and for a videoprinter to produce an index photograph by operating according to cuttingposition information as generated. Further, it is possible for a filmcutting inserter to have a cutting algorithm, and for a video printer topredetermine cutting positions for film pieces according to thealgorithm, to synthesize positive images of the film pieces.

[0045] In the above, the index photograph is inserted into the pocketbefore the insertion of the film pieces. It is also possible that thefilm pieces are inserted before the insertion of the index photograph.The film pieces are inserted, while reserving one empty pocket between afinal film piece from a first filmstrip and a first film piece from asecond filmstrip. The reserved pocket is used for receiving the indexphotograph.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the index photograph 10 is inserted bythe cutting inserter 37 into the pocket. In contrast, a film sheath 81can be wound as a roll after a film cutting inserter 80 has insertedfilm pieces and before an index photograph inserter 85 of a separatetype inserts an index photograph 86 into the film sheath 81 whileunwound from the roll. Reference numeral 83 designates a single pocket,which remains empty after the insertion of the film pieces and whichreceives the index photograph 86, to obtain an exposed film package withthe index photograph. In the embodiment, a scanner 89 generates a framesignal of each frame during inspection of the frame in a film analyzer88. In accordance with the frame signal a video printer/processor 90produces the index photograph 86. Elements similar to those of the aboveembodiment are designated with identical reference numerals. Althoughthe scanner 89 is associated with the film analyzer 88, it is possibleto incorporate a scanner in the film processor 33 to pick up the frames.Further, the index photograph inserter 85 can be integrated with, andlocated downstream of, the video printer/processor 90. Operation of thisintegrated index photograph inserter 95 is the same as the formerseparate one.

[0047] It is alternatively possible for an index photograph inserter toinsert the index photograph before winding the film sheath as a roll,while reserving plural empty pockets as many as the film pieces to beinserted. Then the roll sheath is unwound, before the reserved pocketscan be used for receiving the film pieces.

[0048] In the above, the negative filmstrip has the length standardizedfor 24 exposures. Alternatively negative films for 12 or 36 exposuresmay be used. It is possible on the filmstrip to take at most 15 or 39exposures. The filmstrip for 12 exposures is cut into three film pieces.The filmstrip for 36 exposures is cut into seven film pieces.

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 10, an index photograph 100 for the12-exposure film is provided with three film piece images 101 a to 101 cin positive fashion. There appears an imageless portion 100 a which isthree times as large as each of the film piece images 101 a to 101 c.Spaces 102 and 103 are formed in the imageless portion 100 a. The space102 is used for printing data regarding photography and/or correction ofexposure. The space 103 is blank and used for writing notes manually. Inspite of this, it is possible to record the positive images in greatersizes than those of the former index photograph 10 for the 24 exposuresand without forming the imageless portion 100 a. It is likely that theframes cannot be juxtaposed in the same manner as the film pieces.However frame numbers can be recorded in association with positiveimages. Gaps as blanks can be formed between film piece images tospecify the frames at which different film piece images are juxtaposed.

[0050] In FIG. 11, the index photograph 110 is produced for the36-exposure film. At least seven film piece images 11 a to 111 g arerecorded in positive fashion. A factor of reducing the positive imagesis determined differently from the above embodiment, to record thesmaller film piece images 111 a to 111 g than those of the indexphotograph 10 for 24 exposures.

[0051] In the above, the film piece images 15 a to 15 e, 101 a to 101 c,111 a to 111 g are arranged in three or four lines. Alternatively it ispossible to arrange film piece images in a different number of lines,i.e. two or five lines, in consideration of the standardized lengths ofthe films for 12, 24 or 36 exposures.

[0052] In the above, the color paper is used for producing the indexphotographs. Alternatively it is possible as illustrated in FIG. 12 touse color reversal film, on which frames are recorded at the format thesame as the above, to produce an index film piece 120 as index sheet.

[0053] In the above embodiments, the index photograph is previouslyformed at the size equal to the film pieces and inserted into anassociated pocket in the film sheath. Alternatively index photographscan be initially produced in a form of continuous sheet, and beseparated slightly before insertion into the pockets. In FIG. 13, anindex photograph inserter section 150 is associated with a station ofinserting an index photograph 154, and incorporated in the cuttinginserter 37 in FIG. 8 instead of the index photograph inserter section61. In general, the index photograph inserter section 150 isstructurally similar to the cutting inserter section 37 a.

[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 13, an elongated index photograph ascontinuous sheet is wound as a roll 151, and set around a shaft 152.Cutting marks or indicia are formed on the elongated index photographand associated with respective strips of negative films. The cuttingmarks are detected by a mark sensor 153, and are used as a borderposition where the elongated index photograph is cut into indexphotograph 154. The elongated index photograph is looped by a damperroller 155 and a guide roller 156, and transported by pairs or transportrollers 157 and 158 to a cutting position, where a cutter 160 cuts theelongated index photograph at the size of the film pieces. The indexphotograph 154 is inserted into a film sheath 161 by the transportrollers 158. Other structures are similar to those of the indexphotograph inserter section 61 in FIG. 7. Elements similar to those ofthe former embodiment are designated with identical reference numerals.The index photograph 154 is inserted, while reserving plural emptypockets as many as the film pieces to be inserted. The reserved pocketsare used for receiving the film pieces.

[0055] In the index photograph inserter section 150, the indexphotograph 154 is inserted in the station before that for the insertionof film pieces. Alternatively it is possible for an index photographinserter section to insert the index photograph 154 in a station pastthat for film pieces. In the above, the index photograph insertersection 150 is integrated with the cutting inserter section 37 a for thefilm pieces. In contrast an index photograph inserter section may be ofa type separate from a film cutting inserter for film pieces. The filmpieces may be inserted, while reserving one empty pocket between a finalfilm piece from a first filmstrip and a first film piece from a secondfilmstrip. The reserved pocket may be used for receiving the indexphotograph.

[0056] Although the present invention has been fully described by way ofthe preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, various changes and modifications will be apparent to thosehaving skill in this field. Therefore, unless otherwise these changesand modifications depart from the scope of the present invention, theyshould be construed as included therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An index sheet, constituted of image-recordingmaterial on which positive images of frames from one strip of exposedphotographic film are recorded, said strip of said exposed film cut intoplural film pieces, said index sheet comprising: said image-recordingmaterial having a size substantially equal to said film pieces; saidpositive images formed in reducing a size of said frames, and grouped inassociation with said film pieces; and groups of said positive imagesarranged in consideration of an order of exposure of said frames.
 2. Anindex sheet as defined in claim 1 , wherein a frame number is recordedat said positive images of said frames.
 3. An index sheet as defined inclaim 2 , wherein said image-recording material is reversal film.
 4. Anindex sheet as defined in claim 2 , wherein said image-recordingmaterial is photographic paper.
 5. An index sheet as defined in claim 4, wherein said positive images are arranged in two to five lines;further comprising an information recording portion, disposed on saidimage-recording material and outside said positive images, for recordingof film information regarding said strip of said exposed film, said filminformation comprising a caption, and/or a number associated with saidstrip, and at least one portion of said information recording portionbeing blank for use in subsequent recording of said film information. 6.An exposed film package for preserving one strip of exposed photographicfilm, said exposed film package comprising: a film sheath having pluralpocket portions open along at least one of lengthwise edges of said filmsheath; plural film pieces, formed by cutting said one strip of saidexposed film, and contained respectively in said pocket portions in saidfilm sheath; an index sheet, constituted of image-recording material onwhich positive images of frames from said one strip of said exposed filmare recorded, said image-recording material having a size substantiallyequal to said film pieces, said positive images formed in reducing asize of said frames, and grouped in association with said film pieces,and groups of said positive images arranged in consideration of an orderof exposure of said frames, said index sheet contained in one of saidpocket portions in association with said film pieces constituting saidone strip.
 7. An exposed film package as defined in claim 6 , whereinsaid frames of said exposed film are picked up by a pick-up device, andprinted on photographic paper by a laser printer, to produce said indexsheet.
 8. A method of producing an exposed film package, comprisingsteps of: cutting respective exposed photographic film into film piecesat a predetermined length, to insert said film pieces into pocketportions in a film sheath material, said film pieces so inserted thatone of said pocket portions remains empty beside pocket portionsassociated with film pieces having been inserted in said film sheathmaterial; winding said film sheath material as a roll after insertion ofsaid film pieces; unwinding said film sheath material from said roll, toinsert an index sheet into said empty pocket portion in association withsaid exposed film, said index sheet constituted of photosensitivematerial on which images from said exposed film are recorded inreduction in size, and arranged in groups associated with said filmpieces, said photosensitive material having a size substantially equalto said film pieces; and cutting a film sheath from said film sheathmaterial after insertion of said index sheet, to obtain said exposedfilm package, said exposed film package including said film piecesconstituting said exposed film, said index sheet, and said film sheathcontaining said film pieces and said index sheet.
 9. A method ofproducing an exposed film package, comprising steps of: inserting afirst index sheet into a pocket portion in a film sheath material, saidfirst index sheet constituted of photosensitive material on which imagesfrom exposed photographic film are recorded in reduction in size, saidphotosensitive material having a size substantially equal to said pocketportion; inserting a second index sheet into a pocket portion followingplural pocket portions in said film sheath material to follow saidpocket portion for said first index sheet; winding said film sheathmaterial as a roll after insertion of at least said first and secondindex sheets; unwinding said film sheath material from said roll, toinsert film pieces into said plural pocket portions in association withsaid first or second index sheet, said film pieces cut from said exposedfilm at a predetermined length, said images on said first or secondindex sheet being arranged in groups associated with said film pieces;and cutting a film sheath from said film sheath material after insertionof said film pieces, to obtain said exposed film package, said exposedfilm package including said film pieces constituting said exposed film,said first or second index sheet, and said film sheath containing saidfilm pieces and said first or second index sheet.
 10. A system ofproducing an exposed film package, said exposed film package comprising:a film sheath having plural pocket portions open along at least one oflengthwise edges of said film sheath; and plural film pieces, formed bycutting one strip of exposed photographic film, and containedrespectively in said pocket portions in said film sheath; said filmpackage producing system comprising: a film cutting inserter section,for cutting said exposed film into said film pieces, and for insertingsaid film pieces into said pocket portions in said film sheath; an indexsheet stacker device for stacking index sheets in an order of exposedfilms associated with said index sheets, each of said index sheetsconstituted of image-recording material on which positive images offrames from said strip of said exposed film are recorded in reduction insize, said image-recording material having a size substantially equal tosaid film pieces; and a sheet inserter section for receiving said indexsheets from said stacker device and for inserting said index sheets intosaid pocket portions, each of said index sheets contained in saidexposed film package in association with said film pieces constitutingsaid one strip.
 11. A film package producing system as defined in claim10 , wherein said sheet inserter section inserts a first one of saidindex sheets for said first strip into a pocket portion next to pocketportions containing said film pieces constituting said first strip; saidcutting inserter section inserts film pieces constituting a second stripof exposed film into pocket portions next to said pocket portioncontaining said first index sheet; and said sheet inserter sectioninserts a second one of said index sheets for said second strip into apocket portion next to pocket portions containing said film piecesconstituting said second strip.
 12. A film package producing system asdefined in claim 10 , further comprising: a pick-up device, for pickingup said frames of said exposed film, to generate a frame signal; and aprinter device, connected to said pick-up device, for printing saidindex sheet, including: an image treating section, for producing acombined image in which positive images of said frame from said exposedframes of said strip are arranged in groups associated with said filmpieces, said combined image produced in reduction in size; and an imagerecorder section for recording on said image-recording material inaccordance with a signal of said combined image, to produce said indexsheet.
 13. A film package producing system as defined in claim 12 ,wherein said image treating section includes: a controller for storing apredetermined format representing arrangement of said positive images onsaid index sheet; an A/D converter for digitalizing said frame signal;and an image synthesizer, supplied with said frame signal asdigitalized, and controlled by said controller, for laying out saidframe signal in accordance with said format, to produce a combinedimage.
 14. A film package producing system as defined in claim 13 ,wherein said image treating section further includes a film informationgenerator for generating film information regarding said strip of saidexposed film; wherein said controller further stores a format of saidfilm information on said index sheet, and lays out said film informationfrom said film information generator in accordance said format thereof,said image synthesizer combining said combined image with said filminformation as laid out.
 15. A film package producing system as definedin claim 14 , wherein said image treating section further comprising: animage memory, to which said digitalized frame signal is written color bycolor, and out of which said frame signal is read by said imagesynthesizer in thinned form; and a frame memory to which a signal ofsaid combined image from said image synthesizer is written color bycolor, said frame memory read by said image recording section.
 16. Afilm package producing system as defined in claim 12 , wherein saidimage-recording material is photosensitive; and said image-recordingsection prints said combined image to said image-recording material witha laser beam, subsequently said image-recording material developed. 17.A film package producing system as defined in claim 12 , wherein saidproducing system is combined with a photofinishing system comprising: afilm splicer for connecting strips of exposed films, to form anelongated film; a film processor for developing said elongated film; afilm analyzer for inspecting frames of said exposed film to be printed,said pick-up device incorporated in said film analyzer to pick up saidframes of said elongated film being developed; and a photographicprinter, in which said inspected elongated film is set, and which printssaid frames of said elongated film on photographic paper; wherein saidcutting inserter section is supplied with said elongated film afterprinting in said photographic printer.
 18. A film package producingsystem as defined in claim 12 , wherein said producing system iscombined with a photofinishing system comprising: a film splicer forconnecting strips of exposed films, to form an elongated film; a filmprocessor for developing said elongated film, said pick-up deviceincorporated in said film processor to pick up said frames of saidelongated film being developed; and a photographic printer, in whichsaid developed elongated film is set, and which prints said frames ofsaid elongated film on photographic paper; wherein said cutting insertersection is supplied with said elongated film after printing in saidphotographic printer.
 19. A film package producing system as defined inclaim 12 , wherein said sheet inserter section inserts said index sheetinto said film sheath after said cutting inserter section inserts saidfilm pieces into said film sheath.
 20. A film package producing systemas defined in claim 19 , wherein said cutting inserter section furtherincluding a sheath cutter device for forming a cutting line on said filmsheath, said cutting line located between adjacent two of said pocketportions, said adjacent two pocket portions associated with differenttwo of said strips, said cutting line adapted to cutting of said filmsheath.
 21. A film package producing system as defined in claim 20 ,further comprising a winding device for winding said film sheath as aroll after said cutting inserter section inserts said film pieces intosaid film sheath; wherein said sheet inserter section inserts said indexsheet into said film sheath while unwinding said film sheath from saidroll.
 22. A film package producing system as defined in claim 12 ,wherein said sheet inserter section is disposed upstream of said cuttinginserter section relative to a direction of transporting said filmsheath.
 23. A film package producing system as defined in claim 22 ,wherein said stacker device holds said index sheet in a continuous form;and said sheet inserter section further cuts said continuously formedindex sheet into index sheets respectively associated with said strips.24. A film package producing system as defined in claim 23 , whereinsaid sheet inserter section and said cutting inserter section areincorporated in a single apparatus.
 25. A film package producing systemas defined in claim 22 , wherein said stacker device has a box shape,and contains said plural index sheets stacked on one another, of whichones of said index sheets to be inserted earlier are positioned belowremaining ones of said index sheets; a bottom opening, formed through abottom of said stacker device and along an edge of said stacker deviceclose to said sheet inserter section, for exiting said index sheets; andan advancing roller, of which at least one portion is disposed insidesaid bottom opening, and which is contacted on a lowest one of saidindex sheets, and is rotated to move said lowest index sheet to anoutside of said bottom opening, so as to move said lowest index sheet tosaid sheet inserter section.
 26. A film package producing system asdefined in claim 25 , wherein said sheet inserter section includes: apair of nip belts, for nipping said index sheet advanced by saidadvancing roller, and for being rotated to move said index sheet intosaid film sheath; and a pair of guide plates, disposed between said nipbelts and said film sheath, defining a space spread toward said nipbelts from said pocket portions, for guiding said index sheet into saidpocket portion after said advancement of said index sheet.
 27. A filmpackage producing system as defined in claim 26 , further comprising: amotor for driving said nip belts; and a clutch device, for transmittingrotation of said motor to said advancing roller, and for detaching saidadvancing roller from said motor after said index sheet is nipped bysaid nip belts, to preventing said advancing roller from moving a nextlowest one of said index sheets.
 28. A system of producing an exposedfilm package, said exposed film package comprising: a film sheath havingplural pocket portions open along at least one of lengthwise edges ofsaid film sheath; and plural film pieces, formed by cutting said onestrip of said exposed film, and contained respectively in said pocketportions in said film sheath; said film package producing systemcomprising: a pick-up device, for picking up said frames of said exposedfilm, to generate a frame signal; an index sheet printer device,connected to said pick-up device, for printing said index sheet,including: an image treating section, for producing a combined image inwhich positive images of said frame from said exposed frames of saidstrip are arranged in groups associated with said film pieces, saidcombined image produced in reduction in size; and an image recordersection for recording on said image-recording material in accordancewith a signal of said combined image, to produce said index sheet; afilm cutting inserter section, for cutting said exposed film into saidfilm pieces, and for inserting said film pieces into said pocketportions in said film sheath; and a sheet inserter section for insertingsaid index sheet into one of said pocket portions, each of said indexsheet contained in said exposed film package in association with saidfilm pieces constituting said one strip.